A Pirate and a Princess Go to the World......Updated Ch. 12/pics/COMPLETE

Me, too! Somebody asked me a question about flowers for the wedding. I was like yeah, I don't know that, but do you want to know all about the hotels we are staying at in FL?

Okay, it totally seems like we are switching regular vacations for our honeymoons. We have been to DL, Vegas, and parks several times in the past few years and are going to WDW for our honeymoon. And you have beento WDW and are going to the others. If you end up with any questions on those places, I have a lot of experiece. Especially, of course, on the Salt Lake area. :lmao:

That's soooooo funny! That's really ironic! Which hotels are you staying at and what are the details of where you're going...it's time for a pre-trip report! I'm going to have tons of questions regarding the areas....my first one is there anything fun to do/see in Salt Lake?
 
Hi Kate! I read your TR from Nov and loved it! I am so glad you two got to go back again, even though it was a little difficult getting there :rotfl: That whole situation is too funny!

I am so sorry to hear about Artist Point :sad2: That's DF and my favorite restaurant too!

Can't wait to read more popcorn::
 
That's soooooo funny! That's really ironic! Which hotels are you staying at and what are the details of where you're going...it's time for a pre-trip report! I'm going to have tons of questions regarding the areas....my first one is there anything fun to do/see in Salt Lake?
It totally is so ironic. :rotfl: We are going Sept. 11-21 for 3 days at WL and the next week at the Marriott Grande Vista (which we are getting for free). WDW and Clearwater.

The most important thing to remember at SLC is that while it is a great place, it is not a BIG city. It is really fantastic but will not seem like that if you are expecting LA or something. Which I am sure you are not, but people always seem to try and compare. Anyways, what kind of stuff do you like to do? Have you booked a hotel already?
 
As for the honeymoon, we're actually going to go out west and spend the first four nights at Disney at the Grand Californian, then out to Vegas and then the national parks (zion, bryce, salt lake, grand teton and yellowstone)...it certainly will be an adventure!

I didn’t relies that you were headed out to our park for your Honeymoon and then on to another of our favorites Vegas.

Have you been out to the Grand California before? It is a very nice place, we like to head over once in a while and just sit in the lobby by the fireplace and listening to the piano player.

Are you just going to do all four days at Disney?
 

P1310106.jpg

What a gorgeous picture of you! You really have that Disney 'glow' and look truly happy! :cloud9: It's sounds like you had a great day. (except for the lack of service at Artisit Point)

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! I'm so happy for you guys! :love:

-Michelle
 
hi everyone! I'm really sorry I haven't responded to anyone or updated...I've been *soooooooo* busy. I had noooo idea how much work goes into planning a wedding!!!!! I've never been more stressed out in my life. There's buying the dress, fittings for the dress, then getting the veil, the shoes, finding the right hair style, make up, tuxedos, meeting with brides maids, men of honor, bridal showers, photographers, menu, seating arrangements, officiants :scared1: :scared1: :scared1: :scared1: :scared1: . Not to mention we just got a house that we're moving into next month!!! Absolute chaos! Please bear with me for the time being, I'll be back to my dising in no time, I promise. I also intend to respond to all of you as you're all important to me!
 

Okay- I LOVE this picture! It's so cute- and I adore your green sweater! I love it!

I was only a little lurker when I read your other TR. I loved it, and I can't wait to read the rest of this one!

Thanks for sharing! Good luck with the wedding- It will be wonderful! :thumbsup2

And your puppy is adorable! See my Maddie below- she's a cutie too... Spoiled rotten, but we miss her so much when we are in WDW. At least we are so busy when we are there that we are occupied. Plus her "grandparents" love to watch her anyway. She gets pampered there!
 
7:00 AM ringggg, ringggg, rinnng

Jeremy groaning proceeds to belly flop onto my body in an attempt to pick up/hang up the phone as I'm the one sleeping by the night stand.

Me: Owwwwwwww, what the hell do you think you're doing?
Jay (while proceeding to cover my mouth still in belly flop position): shhhh, shhh, bed
Me: Jay, get off of me! It's time to get up!
Jay: no, please god no, I'll do anything, I can't, I'm sick

Yeah, that wasn't happening. It was go time. Our first real day. No more being tired and out of it from arrival day it was game time :thumbsup2

I jumped out of that bed and had the covers off of him in one minute flat.

Around an hour later we made it out the door and onto the bus we were. It was a bright and sunny day and we couldn't have been happier. We were well rested and in our happy place. Today was the day for Animal Kingdom. Prior to this trip AK was my least favorite of the parks, which was always suprising as I have a fond love for all animals. Then again, AK always seems to be 20 degrees warmer than the actual temperature which in FL doesn't amount to good news. Today however, being a blustery and chilly day I was very much looking foward to the 20 degree jump.

We made it off the bus around 8:30 and since the park didn't open till 9:00 and there was relatively no one in line we decided to have breakfast at the little espresso stand outside the park's entrance. For me I had a double chocolate chip muffin, yum yum yum yum! Oh the joy of not having a slim fast bar for breakfast. Yes, the wrapper may say rich chocolate brownie, but I assure you it is surely lacking in rich, chocolate or brownie flavor. This is what vacation is all about, gorging yourself with all the food you would never eat normally in a complete glutton state. My heaven. Jeremy's every day existence. He just didn't seem to enjoy his chocolate croissant with the same vigor as I.

After breakfast we waited on line which wasn't that bad because we came up with our game plan. We were heading straight to Everest. Right after breakfast you question? Yes, we are a bit on the lunatic side. Something about that chocolate going to my brain in happy waves :hippie:

We made our way through the park taking our time knowing there was only another line to wait in. It was nice actually being able to look at this part of the park as Jeremy is normally ripping me along similar to if we're in the mall and I see a shoe store. Suddenly I'm a child again with a tight grip on my hand being pulled away from an ice cream stand.

P1310110.jpg




Before long the turnstiles were open only to led us to the cute pre-show. While I've been at AK for opening before I was never so close that I was actually able to see what was going on.

P1310114.jpg


It was actually a cute opening show with all of the characters in front of the Tree of Life. Really though, while the cute little characters were dancing about, all the adults knew the real drill. As soon as the ropes go down the sprinting is on.

It was like a stampede running for the watering hole. Dad's abandoning families, lost children being trampled, jeremy yelling things such as "just run through that mother and child with the baby stroller, goooo go go".

By the time we actually made it to Everest there was a small ine, but really no big deal. I'd never been able to ride this ride with my eyes open before, I panick everytime I know the Yeti's coming. I don't bid well with suprises on rides + big noises. Hence, I'm not a Dinosaur fan. Everest is about as wild as I can go in that department. Everest was yet again, a blast, but did I keep my eyes open? Hell no! As is every picture of me and Jay on a roller coaster my head is buried deep in his shoulder while my hands are cutting of his hand's circulation.

P1310168.jpg


We decided to go over to the Safari as it's infinitely better in the morning and I am so happy that we did as this ended up being the highlight of our trip. It was UNREAL how many animals were out. I cannot begin to describe how wonderful of a ride we had. There were animals EVERYWHERE. We even saw a gazelle chasing a baby giraffe through the savannah and I caught it on video. It was so amazing. I cannot stress enough how important it is to see the safari during the morning. I mean look, just look!

P1310123.jpg


P1310125.jpg


Hippos OUT of the water? C'mon that's priceless.

P1310136.jpg


P1310143.jpg


Even the lions were out on Pride Rock

P1310152.jpg


It was an absolutely wonderful experience. The kind of experience that you know you'll remember for the rest of your life.

After the safari we were really pumped up and wanted to see more animals so we decided to take I believe the Maharajah (sp) jungle trek. Or is that the one in Asia? Hm, which ever one is near the safari.

A huge number of animals were out as well on the trek. We had a great time taking it slowly to pay attention and really watch, not just get a quick fix. We had fun being silly, as always.

P1310159.jpg


Jeremy wanted to go on Dinosaur so we made our way over to Dinoland which I absolutely despise. Why so tacky? And they say the spent all this money to try to make it look tacky. I just don't understand the charm. I grew up near the Jersey shore so all the beach screams to me is trashy, because essentially that's what the boardwalk here is. Let me tell you, it's nothingggg like what the boardwalk hotel is modeled after. The boardwalk is modeled after asbury park in NJ. If you were to walk I'd say 2 minutes ANYWHERE in asbury past 5pm something terrible would happen to you. So don't be fooled my friend if you're driving one night and see a sign....back away, slowly. Sorry :offtopic: I'm done

Anyway I walked Jay over to Dinosaur and sat this one out. This ride absolutely terrified me the last time I went on it. I felt mighty brave as the 5 year old in front of me was laughing when they harnessed him down and I walked right through. Oh well. Jeremy said it wasn't as good as he rememberd which relieved me because it meant I wouldn't have to go through this process again.

We wanted to see the Finding Nemo show so we started to wait on line. I had to use the bathroom so made my way over. The bathroom area by the stadium is very secluded and I found some interesting happenings. There was a group of very nicely dressed people in suits and suit jacket/skirts all arguing. "What do you mean, he's not here yet? Well then why are all of the guests waiting on line?????" Apparentely either Crush or Marlin was having car problems that day and the show was cancelled. I was certainly happy to hear the news first because we got right off that line. And sure enough that show, and the following were cancelled. We were a bit disappointed as we weren't going to have another day here, but made the best of it and headed over to Asia.

P2010173.jpg


We hadn't done the other trek yet and wanted to so we decided to go see some tigers and dragons. We really enjoy the treks after all :thumbsup2

As usual it was beautiful and again we saw a bunch of animals.

P2010174.jpg


Jeremy and I even met new friends

P2010172.jpg


P2010180.jpg


We decided to have lunch so we circled back to eat at the Flame Tree Barbeque. We absolutely LOVE the food here so we were excited. I had the bbq chicken and Jeremy had the bbq sandwich. Both were delicious but the seating area is terrible! There's sooo many ducks that literally peck you! And all the surrounding people were feeding them hence perpetuating the problem. Ugh, that irks me.

After lunch we wanted to meet some characters and then call it a day. After all, we had a Pirate and Princess Party to look foward to that evening!

P2010170.jpg


P2010184.jpg
 
GGGGGREAT AK pics! I hope we get to go on a safari so swarming with animals!
I love that shirt you have on at AK too...did you get that in WDW. Tis' super cute! :thumbsup2
 
Prior to this trip AK was my least favorite of the parks, which was always surprising as I have a fond love for all animals. Then again, AK always seems to be 20 degrees warmer than the actual temperature which in FL doesn't amount to good news. Today however, being a blustery and chilly day I was very much looking forward to the 20 degree jump.

We have never really enjoyed AK either until our last trip and for I think for the same reason as you it was much cooler and it made it much more enjoyable


We decided to go over to the Safari as it's infinitely better in the morning and I am so happy that we did as this ended up being the highlight of our trip. It was UNREAL how many animals were out. I cannot begin to describe how wonderful of a ride we had. There were animals EVERYWHERE. We even saw a gazelle chasing a baby giraffe through the savannah and I caught it on video.

Totally agree with you again, our last trip we hit the Safari in the morning and had such a good time we got right back on. Om on trip we saw the Baby Giraffe chasing the Gazelle, you know what they say about paybacks

There's sooo many ducks that literally peck you! And all the surrounding people were feeding them hence perpetuating the problem. Ugh, that irks me.

We found this to be true all over the resort and what irked me even more is they wouldn’t throw the food around their table it was always towards someone else. Being the type of person that can’t keep his mouth shut I would usually read in a loud voice the signage about not feeding the wildlife.

Thanks for the up-date, looking forward to more.

Hope your planning is going good and your not too stressed out.
 
Hi Kate! I read your TR from Nov and loved it! I am so glad you two got to go back again, even though it was a little difficult getting there :rotfl: That whole situation is too funny!

I am so sorry to hear about Artist Point :sad2: That's DF and my favorite restaurant too!

Can't wait to read more popcorn::

Hi JJ! Thanks for reading this report too. Yes, it was an interesting start of the trip :rotfl: We were disappointed in Artist Point also, but I used to work as a waitress and I know that some nights are just off nights.
 
It totally is so ironic. :rotfl: We are going Sept. 11-21 for 3 days at WL and the next week at the Marriott Grande Vista (which we are getting for free). WDW and Clearwater.

The most important thing to remember at SLC is that while it is a great place, it is not a BIG city. It is really fantastic but will not seem like that if you are expecting LA or something. Which I am sure you are not, but people always seem to try and compare. Anyways, what kind of stuff do you like to do? Have you booked a hotel already?

Your disneymoon sounds wonderful! We're going to stay at the Shilo Inn because it looks nice and is relatively inexpensive compared to the other hotels. Let me know if you know anything about it. Otherwise we like things like museums, and the outdoors.
 
I didn’t relies that you were headed out to our park for your Honeymoon and then on to another of our favorites Vegas.

Have you been out to the Grand California before? It is a very nice place, we like to head over once in a while and just sit in the lobby by the fireplace and listening to the piano player.

Are you just going to do all four days at Disney?

We're really excited! We've never been inside any of the Disneyland hotels before but the Californian definitely seemed like the right fit for us as it reminds us of the Wilderness Lodge. We went to Disneyland once before but only for two days and we loved it. We preferred the Disneyland park to the Magic Kingdom hands down. We do have park hoppers for all of the days but I think we'll probably end up also going to see Hollywood and whatever fun things there are to do and see. I would love your opinion about the restaurants etc over there as we've never been to any of them, and any special things we might be able to do!
 
What a gorgeous picture of you! You really have that Disney 'glow' and look truly happy! :cloud9: It's sounds like you had a great day. (except for the lack of service at Artisit Point)

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! I'm so happy for you guys! :love:

-Michelle

Thanks so much Michelle, the wedding is coming so soon! I was so excited just to be there that night!
 
Okay- I LOVE this picture! It's so cute- and I adore your green sweater! I love it!

I was only a little lurker when I read your other TR. I loved it, and I can't wait to read the rest of this one!

Thanks for sharing! Good luck with the wedding- It will be wonderful! :thumbsup2

And your puppy is adorable! See my Maddie below- she's a cutie too... Spoiled rotten, but we miss her so much when we are in WDW. At least we are so busy when we are there that we are occupied. Plus her "grandparents" love to watch her anyway. She gets pampered there!

Thanks so much Courtney! I'm flattered to hear you like my TR's! Very adorable dog. I'm a huge dog fan. My dog is actually currentely sitting on my lap :lmao: I convinced Tiny's "grand parents" to watch her while we go on our honeymoon!
 
GGGGGREAT AK pics! I hope we get to go on a safari so swarming with animals!
I love that shirt you have on at AK too...did you get that in WDW. Tis' super cute! :thumbsup2

Hi pigletfan, thanks for reading! I love to take pictures and snap about a million of them everywhere I go on vacation. Get to the safari bright and early and I'm sure you'll have a great time. As for the shirt I bought it in a store somewhere at Disneyworld. I hope you can find it!
 
We have never really enjoyed AK either until our last trip and for I think for the same reason as you it was much cooler and it made it much more enjoyable

Totally agree with you again, our last trip we hit the Safari in the morning and had such a good time we got right back on. Om on trip we saw the Baby Giraffe chasing the Gazelle, you know what they say about paybacks

We found this to be true all over the resort and what irked me even more is they wouldn’t throw the food around their table it was always towards someone else. Being the type of person that can’t keep his mouth shut I would usually read in a loud voice the signage about not feeding the wildlife.

Thanks for the up-date, looking forward to more.

Hope your planning is going good and your not too stressed out.

Thanks Goofster. I really need to learn how to use the multi quote function on here! AK is so much nicer when you're not sweltering from the heat. That's funny that the giraffe was chasing the gazelle. It's interesting that they make such good playmates, I would have never guessed it. Also, I totally agree! The people were always throwing the food in our direction! Ugh, it makes me crazy!!! As for the planning I've been going to the gym to control my stress so I don't turn into Bridezilla!
 
We're really excited! We've never been inside any of the Disneyland hotels before but the Californian definitely seemed like the right fit for us as it reminds us of the Wilderness Lodge

The Grand California is very nice; the inside is on the same par as the Wilderness Lodge. The outside due to the lack of space falls short of the grandness of the grounds of the Wilderness Lodge. I know you will enjoy it there.

We went to Disneyland once before but only for two days and we loved it. We preferred the Disneyland Park to the Magic Kingdom hands down
We would agree, but then we are very bias in this matter. My wife and I have had Annual Passes probably since about the time you were born (my wife was very young when we got them:rotfl2: :love: ya honey), so we have spent a lot of time here

We do have park hoppers for all of the days but I think we'll probably end up also going to see Hollywood and whatever fun things there are to do and see. I would love your opinion about the restaurants etc over there as we've never been to any of them, and any special things we might be able to do!

If you would like I would be happy to gather up some Pamphlets and Brochures of some of the things that you can do while you are here and send them to you so you can take a look at them ahead of time, just let me know.


As for the planning I've been going to the gym to control my stress so I don't turn into Bridezilla!

Every time I watch that show on Women’s Entertain, (not that I watch a lot of shows on there, usually I just catch it when changing channels between NASCAR and This Old House) I remind myself of how lucky I am to be married to the women I am.
 
Another great (and funny) installment!! I laughed so hard at him trying to squish the mornin' out of you! :rotfl: :lmao: :rotfl2: I am so with him on mornings always coming too early...but NOT at WDW...I pop out of bed like every day there is Christmas morning!! :laughing:

Keep up the good work!!:thumbsup2
 
Another great installment! Great pics of the animals- I can't believe you saw so many! That's awesome!!!!

Can't wait to read more... Get to writing! :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay:
 




New Posts









Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE






DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top Bottom